Government
Public services and government action
McKee administration issuing cash bonuses to landlords during a booming market
"There are over 200 people, individuals as well as those living in families, currently staying outside. Winter shelter subsidies are expiring, which means that hundreds more are likely to be living outside in the next few months. The state must provide temporary emergency shelter with a path to permanent housing now for at least 500 individuals and families. Landlord incentives will not solve this problem..."
This week in Rhode Island
Links to every meeting at the Rhode Island State House this week, plus a little extra.
Trinity Rep board member targeted by Boston-based tenant group for evicting vulnerable people and racist gentrification
"Trinity Repertory Theater has an anti-racist mission," noted City Life/Vida Urbana Communications Director Gabriela Cartagena, "so if they want to stick to their anti-racist mission, then we ask the theater to ask Solomon to start a negotiation and speak to the Fairlawn Tenants Association because he, with DSF Group, are gentrifying a Black neighborhood. They're evicting Black and brown and immigrant residents. And that sounds pretty racist…"
Homeless advocates protest outside Governor McKee's office due to looming crisis
According to the state’s Homeless Management Information System, over the two weeks ending April 16, 255 individuals have been reported as living outside in Rhode Island. This number will increase as people are forced to leave winter shelter. Those evicted from those beds have nowhere to go, as there are 932 individuals on waiting lists for individual and family shelter including 544 adults, and 388 individuals in 117 families with children.
An interview with DARE organizer Anusha Alles on racism in the RI General Assembly
"Our people are used to being in settings where they're not being believed, where they're not given an opportunity to speak, they're not being given an opportunity to be heard," said DARE Organizer Anusha Alles. "That's such a common experience for our folks because of the court system and because of everything that they do within the court system..."
Systemic racism and the Rhode Island General Assembly's committee process
The way the Rhode Island General Assembly prioritizes bills under consideration is systemically racist and a product of white supremacy. Bills of interest to white, middle and upper class voters are prioritized over bills of concern to mostly low-income people and voters of color.
The testimony of DOC Director Coyne-Fague in favor of "restrictive housing" (aka solitary confinement)
"I do not see room for common ground on this bill," said Director Coyne-Fague under questioning from Representative Leonela Felix. "I'm not going to sugarcoat that."
Nancy Green: Why one man’s life matters
"Jason Ng was in a moment deprived of his freedom, declared illegal as he petitioned to remain in the country where he had spent more than half his life. He was delivered to a corrupt system that exists for profit, not justice."
Overwhelming opposition to Rep Morgan's anti-trans anti-education bill during hearing
"If you really care about the safety of children in Rhode Island schools, then you would know that Black and Hispanic youth in Providence are overrepresented in arrest data; that there are social services that [students] need in Providence public schools that funding is not allocated for; that queer and trans youth kill themselves at much higher rates than other youth; and that aiming to limit the ability of educators to have nuanced discussions about contemporary issues that affect young people will only result in dead children."
Race, ethnicity, gender and disability impact statements could change the conversation at the General Assembly
"Assessments, such as fiscal notes and environmental impact reports, are already tools for predicting the impacts of legislation," said Representative Liana Cassar. "H7736 adds a race, ethnicity, gender, and disability impact statement to those resources that we already depend upon."